Radio: 88.9 FM, 1310 AM, 1160 AM.Internet/Streaming:gomuhawks.com Live stats and live video of all of the games will be available at GeorgiaStateSports.comLast games: Monmouth lost to Rider 65-62. Georgia State lost to BYU, 82-60. South Alabama def. William Carey (NAIA), 82-64. Tennessee State lost to Minnesota, 72-43.

Monmouth report: Monmouth staged frantic second half rallies Saturday to tie Rider before succumbing to the Broncs. Dion Nesmith scored 15 points and South Carolina transfer Stephen Spinella 13 to pace Monmouth. Monmouth shot 41 percent (16-for-39) in the second half after struggling to find the range (7-for-31) in the opening half. The pressing Monmouth defense has forced 67 turnovers in three games.

Opponents report: Georgia State opened its season with a 74-55 loss to No. 8 Duke. Redshirt 6-foot-7 junior Manny Atkins, a transfer from Virginia Tech, led the Panthers with 21 points and eight rebounds against BYU. South Alabama , which began its season with a win at No. 25 Florida State, has four players averaging double figures led by 6-foot-7, 230 pound junior Augustine Rubit (16 ppg., 5 rpg.). Tennessee State has lost to BYU, South Dakota State, and Minnesota. It is led by Robert Covington, a 6-foot-9 senior (14.0 ppg., 6.7 ppg.).

My thoughts: All three teams look to be athletic and will generally outsize Monmouth. Georgia State maybe a winnable game but it is playing at home, and South Alabama appears to be just too potent for MU. I like MU’s chances, though, vs. TSU. King Rice will really get a look at his entire squad over these three games which should help better formulate rotations going forward. I think, depending on how they perform, eventually some of the young/first year players may see more general spot duty, and Spinella’s minutes may increase. Personally, I would like to see Gary Cox on the floor a little more.

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Josh Newman on Monmouth University and local college athletics

About the Author

Josh NewmanJosh Newman has worked for the Press since September 2004, covering a variety of high school beats in addition to college sports and the New York Jets. A 2004 graduate of Springfield College, he is currently the beat reporter for Monmouth University.E-mail Josh

Sherlon ChristieSherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press. He joined the Press in the fall of 2004. He grew up in Massachusetts and has a BA in journalism from Northeastern University's School of Journalism. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.E-mail Sherlon

Steve EdelsonSteve Edelson has been covering the area sports scene for more than 25 years. And while he has chronicled the accomplishments of many athletes, he's still patiently waiting for his first hole-in-one.E-mail Steve

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Polls

How I feel about the departures of Dion Nesmith and Marcus Ware

A good move, King Rice needs to look to the future with younger players who are :"his" recruits (57%, 67 Votes)

Not a good move, they would have been fifth year seniors who may have helped significantly (31%, 36 Votes)